This is a widespread southeastern annual, occuring in a broad range of habitats from floodplains to rocky glades, but generally with damp ground during spring and some exposure of soil over winter. The species has become locally abundant along some gullied medians of major highways in calcareous regions. Variation deserves further study. Some colls. with hairy fruits have been named V. stenocarpa (Engelm. ex Gray) Krok in error. There has also been much confusion with other species in the genus.